Mr. Abercrombie Entertains
This post was originally written on June 24th 2010 for a previous blog. I have reposted it here as I will be writing about Mr. Abercrombie’s latest work “The Heroes” shortly. – Mike.
I was always into science fiction and cyber punk more than fantasy growing up (which explains a lot), but not due to any great dislike of fantasy – I just never found an example that really did it for me. Curiously, after many years of trying and failing to get into fantasy 2008 turned out to be the year that I find not only two fantasy novels that float my boat but two fantasy series: The First Law Trilogy by Joe Abercrombie and the Gentlemen Bastards series by Scott Lynch.
I’m sure that I will talk about Scott Lynch’s fine work another time so for this entry I’ll just talk about Mr. Abercrombie’s (for with a surname like “Abercrombie” you must surely only be addressed as “Mr.” and wear a monocle).
Mr. Abercrombie is a relatively new author – his first novel and the first of the First Law trilogy was published in 2006 and since then he has gone on to complete the trilogy as well as one stand alone novel (Best Served Cold) set in the same world.
Mr. Abercrombie’s world is one of high fantasy, but portrayed in a very gritty, low fantasy style. It is a magical world for sure but the universal truth that “People can be bastards. People in power can be bigger bastards” brings everything down to earth before a more traditional high fantasy “good vs. evil” snooze-fest can begin.
There may be the powerful wizard, the barbarian, the soldier, the king and other common fantasy archetypes but Mr. Abercrombie portrays them all in a different light to most authors. Nothing is clear-cut, there are no real heros, war is a bloody business and everyone has something dark in their past.
Supposedly the first First Law book was, to some degree, based upon Mr. Abercrombie’s pen and paper roleplaying sessions with friends. I think that this origin gives the books a nice taste upon reading as role play sessions tend to focus in on situations that are interesting and involving to the players and by extension to the readers.
Everyone I know who has read these books has either loved them immediately or grown to love them on their second attempted reading. If you are a fan of fantasy novels or think you could be I highly recommend picking up the First Law trilogy.
Caveat emptor: The First Law books are bloody and even I cringed at some scenes in Best Served Cold. It does, however, never feel gratuitous or out of place.
The First Law Trilogy:
The Blade Itself
Before They Are Hanged
Last Argument of Kings
Standalone Novel:
Best Served Cold
Tags: books fantasy review